A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Crisp, John
CRISP. (Lieut., 1823. f-p., 15; h-p., 23.)
John Crisp, born 17 Aug. 1796, is son of the late Robt. Crisp, Esq., of Alnwick, co. Northumberland, Adjutant of the Northumberland Militia.
This officer entered the Navy, 14 Nov. 1809, as Sec.-cl. Boy, on board La Nymphe 36, Capt. Hon. Josceline Percy; with whom he continued to serve, the greater part of the time in the Hotspur 36, until Nov. 1815. While in the latter frigate, Mr. Crisp was present, as Midshipman, 8 Sept. 1811, in an attack made by Capt. Percy on seven of the enemy’s gun-brigs off Calvados, on which occasion the Hotspur, having grounded, lay exposed for four hours to a heavy fire from the vessels, a battery, and some field-pieces, which inflicted on her a loss of 5 men killed and 22 wounded. He also commanded a launch belonging to the same ship at the reduction, in the summer of 1813, of a strong fort, occupied by the French, on the north coast of Spain. On leaving the Hotspur, Mr. Crisp passed his examination, and then joined the Inconstant 36, bearing the broad pendant of Sir Jas. Lucas Yeo on the coast of Africa, where he served nearly two years, and assisted, in the boats under Lieut. Geo. Harrison, at the cutting-out of a slaver from beneath the batteries of Prince’s Island. In March, 1818, he became Master’s Mate of the Iphigenia 36, Capt. Hyde Parker, in time to escort to Quebec the Duke of Richmond, the new Governor-General of Canada; after which he appears to have been employed (until confirmed in the rank he now holds, 21 May, 1823), as Admiralty-Midshipman and Acting-Lieutenant, on board the Severn 50, and Leander 60, Capts. Wm. M‘Culloch and Chas. Richardson, on the Home station – Vigo 74, flag-ship at St. Helena of Rear-Admiral Robt. Lambert – Cyrené 20, Capt. Percy Grace – and Owen Glendower 36, Commodore Sir Robt. Mends, and Bann 20, Capt. Chas. Phillips, both on the coast of Africa. He subsequently served on the Coast Blockade as Lieutenant of the Ramillies 74, Capt. Hugh Pigot, from Dec. 1825 to Feb. 1826; but was then superseded, in consequence of ill health contracted on the coast of Africa; and has since been on half-pay.
Lieut. Crisp has been in the enjoyment, since 20 Feb. 1842, of 20l. a year, as a pension for wounds received in the right leg and hand, during his attachments to the Hotspur and Ramillies. He is married. Agents – Pettet and Newton.